Display rack



H. G. KUCK DISPLAY RACK June 11, 1929.

` Filed Dec. 27, 1927 Patented Jimeil, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENToFFICE.

HENRY G. KUCK, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASJSIGNOR TO STUBER & KUCK C0., OF PFDRIA,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

' DISPLAY, RACK.

.Application-filed December 27, 1927. Serial No. 242,824.

This invention relates to display racks of that type used for displacing goods contained in packages, such as cakes, crackers and the like. l

An object of the invention is-to provide `a knock-down type of rackthat can be made of sheet metal at a low cost of production, thatwill be exceedingly rigid and yet light in weight.

Another object is to construct a display `raclfof sheet metal all of whose members contributeto a rigid and strong structure.

Still 'another object lies in creating integral supporting parts in the end supporting members of said rack with which shelf ends engage.

Again, an object is to furnish a rigid and strong rack of -a knock-down form that 'may be assembled and disassembled Without the use of tools.

lVith these and other objects`to be described I shall proceed to describe the `rack in detail aided by the accompanyinozdrawing forming part hereof wherein:

Figure 1 shows the complete rack invention in perspective.

' Figure 1a illustrates in perspective one Of my I end of one ofthe sliellves included in the invention.

Flgure 2 is an elevation of the lnner side "'of an endsuppor'ting member.

Figure 3 shows, in perspective, part of a top shelf andan end supporting member, `and means for Supporting the former upon the latter.

Figure 4 shows in perspective a top shelf and end support together with bracing meansattached to eac-h, and

Figure 5 is a transverse section o f part of the rack. V

My rack includes two end upright supporting members 1 formed from sheet metal. In this instance these are substantially tri-` angular in form the base lines of which lie at right angles to what may be termed their rearv edges. Preferably the bases of the members arev cut away at 2 whereby to create feet 3 which may be each provided with a ball portion 3 for ease of shifting the rack upon the floor. The` front and rear 'edges ofthe supporting vmembers each'has a flange 4 and 5 respectively, which are bent up at'right angles to the plane of the structure for lending great strength and rigidity,

and to preventbuckling and sagging.

A top Shelf is designated et e. This hee a hook portion 7 -at each end designed to engage over the top edges of the members 1. as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Said shelf is furnished with a downturned flange 8 at its' forward edge, and with an upturned rear fiange -9, Figures 1 and 3. These flanges serve to brace and prevent buckling of the shelf, which, it is to be understood, is also 'are designed to extend between the members 1, the ends of their flanges'12 and 13 abutting upon the latter, Figure 1.

Each member 1 at desired positions has pairs of spaced slits 15'cut therein creating between them a supporting strip 16, Figure 2, for a shelf-end, a flange 14 being slipped behind said strip through saidv slits 15'as shown in Figure, for example, each created strip 1G being lpushed out of the plane ofthe member carrying it to permit the said flanges 14 of the shelves 10, 11 being slipped through the slits behind it. The endsv of the flanges 8, 9 of the top shelf 6 abut against the members 1 in addition to said flanges 12, 13 of the shelves 10, 11 thereby bracing the whole structure and preventing racking thereof. If desired a further bracing aid may be provided by the use of apair of braces 17 secured at one of their ends to the rear'flange 9 of the top shelf` 6 and at their other ends to the flanges 5 of the end members 1 by bolts 17 as suggested in Figure 4.

The articles to be supported, such as cake or cracker cans 18 are mounted upon the several shelves where they may abut 4upon the flanges 9 and v13, any or all of the shelves being inclined downwardly `toward the rear side .or back of the structure, the contents of the cans being readily seen, or they may be withdrawn from the containers by opening the lids or covers thereof. Preferably, in order that the cans on the shelves 10,11 may be firmly held in place, yet readily re moved, the under side of any. shelf .may have opened without disturbing the alignment the can-tops just below after the manner,

shown in Figure 5, for example', said springs steadying the cans and exerting sufficientfriction to permit the lids or covers to be the cans as they lie side by side. l l

The rack is light in weight, yet strong and rugged, and `may be readily reduced to a knock-down form for storage or shipment, it being merely required, if the rods 17 are employed, to detach-them at one of their yends to permit the `whole affairto be disassembled. I

A rack can be readily constructed of sheet l metal and yet be strong and very' rigid in use .due to the described relation of the parts thereof and there are no separate connecting parts to become lost such as bolts or screws for fastening` the shelves in place, and the exceedingly snug sliding fit of the end flanges 7 and 14 of shelves provide for firm abutment of the ends of the flanges 12, 13 upon the end members 1.- Y

Many manufacturers of bakery or other goods prefer to advertise their business and wares upon containers and racks. The

broad surfaces of my rack are particularly suitable for the purpose, the sheet metal ends being produced at a lower cost than in any other type where a broad surface is desired. .I claim: 1. A display rack of the knock-down type including a pair of supporting members.ofv

sheet metal formingthe ends of the rack, each having a turned integral flange on eachof `its upright edges, a top shelf of sheet metal having a turned flange at two opposite edges vand also having a4 hook at each end each frictionally engaging upon the top edge-of one of .the members, a second. shelf spaced below the said top shelf extending between the members and abut-l ting at its ends upon thev inner surfaces of the lsame and having a flange turned upon each'of its longitudinal edges also abutting themembers, there being a pair of.

spaced slits in each member at the position vof the shelf-ends, said shelf having aia/'each end anintegral depending flange adapted to f pass through both slits of a pair.

' 2. A display rack of the knock-down type including 'a pair of supporting members of sheet metal formingithe ends ofJ` the rack, eachhaving a turned integral flange at its upright edges, there being a pair of spaced slits in each supporting member, one pair lying opposite the other and both pairs being disposed-at right angles to one of said edges, and a shelf disposed between the supporting members, the samehaving a turned including a pair of spaced supports of sheet metal Iforming the ends of the rack, each having a turned integral flange at each of its edges arising from its base line, a shelf engaging the upper extremity of each support securing them in rigid spaced relation, there being a pair of slits in each support, and a second shelf yinterposed between the supports and having a flangey at each end integraltherewith, each extending through the slits of a pair, said shelf having a part at its ends to abut upon the supports adapted to brace the same and said shelf rigidly.'

4. A display rack of the knock-down type including a pair of supporting members of sheet metal forming the ends of the rack, each having a turned integral flange at two upright edges', there being a pair of spaced slits in qeach supporting memberlying oppo- @site one another and disposed at right angles toA one of said edges, a shelf disposed between the supporting members, the same having aturned flange at each edge eachv supporting members above the first namedshelf and spaced therefrom.

5. A display rack of the knock-down type including a.pair of supporting members of sheet metal forming the ends of the rack, each having a turned flange at two opposite edggs integral therewith, there being a pair of spaced slits in each support lying opposite one another and disposed at right angles to one of said edges, a shelf disposedA between the supporting members, the 'same having a turned flange at'each edge abutting at its ends upon the members, said shelf having a turned integral flange at each end each engaging in both slits, of a pair of said slits, said shelf acting to secure the supporting members relatively rigid,4and a second shelf having a longitudinal flange adapted to abut iat its ends against the supporting members above the. first named shelf, said second shelf having a hook portionv turned upon each end thereof each frictionally engaging .over opposite surfacesl of Athe supporting members at their tops.

' ln testimony whereof I affix my signature.

v HENRY G. KUCK.' v 

